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The USGS provides unbiased, objective, and impartial scientific information upon which our audiences, including resource managers, planners, and other entities, rely.
Browse more than 65,000 articles authored by our scientists over the past 100+ year history of the USGS and refine search by topic, location, year, and advanced search.
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The effects of carnivory and herbivory on the energy balance of Arctic grizzly bears The effects of carnivory and herbivory on the energy balance of Arctic grizzly bears
Omnivores often face tradeoffs between selecting for spatially dispersed energy-dense vertebrate prey versus densely distributed herbivorous resources that have limited energetic value per unit intake. Arctic grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) are large omnivores within a resource-limited ecosystem that are known to exhibit smaller body masses and occur at lower densities than grizzly bears in...
Authors
Anthony Pagano, Karyn Rode, Kerry Nicholson, William Leacock, Craig Stricker, Charles Robbins
Summer snow determines the depth to ice-cemented ground under dry permafrost in Antarctica Summer snow determines the depth to ice-cemented ground under dry permafrost in Antarctica
Dry permafrost underlain by ice-cemented permafrost has been reported in several locations in Antarctica. Initially thought to be relic ice, it is now understood that this subsurface ice is in equilibrium with the surface conditions, although it is not in equilibrium with the atmosphere. We use year-round data from University Valley in the Dry Valleys and Elephant Head in the Ellsworth...
Authors
C. McKay, M. Marinova, Kaj Williams, M. Mellon
The acoustic-Doppler current profiler (ADCP): A comprehensive tool for river-reach hydromorphodynamics The acoustic-Doppler current profiler (ADCP): A comprehensive tool for river-reach hydromorphodynamics
This paper introduces the use of acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) measurements as input for the Acoustic Mapping Velocimetry (AMV) method, a technique for characterizing the dynamics of riverine bedforms. The performance of this new approach, ADCP-AMV, is compared with input from a multibeam echosounder through a field study conducted on the Mississippi River (USA). A virtual...
Authors
Gábor Fleit, Marian Muste, Sándor Baranya, Dongsu Kim, Amanda Whaling, Tate McAlpin, Hojun You
Potential thiamine deficiency of phytoplankton across a productivity gradient and seasons in Ohio lakes Potential thiamine deficiency of phytoplankton across a productivity gradient and seasons in Ohio lakes
Although nitrogen and phosphorus deficiency of algal blooms have been the focus of substantial attention, organic nutrients can limit algal growth in aquatic systems. Growing evidence indicates thiamine (vitamin B1) can influence the community of primary producers in marine systems, but comparatively little is known about the effect of thiamine on freshwater algal productivity.We...
Authors
Freya Rowland, Michael Vanni, Nicole Hayes, Clifford Kraft
Depth of magma crystallization and fluid exsolution beneath the porphyry-skarn Cu deposits at Santa Rita and Hanover-Fierro, New Mexico, USA Depth of magma crystallization and fluid exsolution beneath the porphyry-skarn Cu deposits at Santa Rita and Hanover-Fierro, New Mexico, USA
The depth level at which porphyry Cu–forming magmas fractionated and exsolved mineralizing fluids is actively debated. In the classic model, extensive magma fractionation occurs in large, upper crustal magma chambers, and concomitant fluid exsolution leads to forceful expulsion of residual magmas in the form of porphyry dikes, stocks, and breccia pipes, which subsequently serve as...
Authors
Andreas Audétat, Jia Chang, Sean Gaynor
Trophic assessment of potential competition between invasive cichlids and sport fish in Puerto Rico reservoirs Trophic assessment of potential competition between invasive cichlids and sport fish in Puerto Rico reservoirs
Objective Several species of New World cichlids have recently invaded reservoirs in Puerto Rico, potentially jeopardizing established recreationally important, albeit nonnative, sport fish populations. Interactions between invasive species and important sport fish must be understood so that they can be mitigated when feasible. This study compared monthly prey consumption between three...
Authors
J. Neal, Jacob Moreland, Corey Dunn, Peter Allen
Evaluating the central–marginal hypothesis: Introgression and genetic variation at the trailing edge of Quercus bicolor Evaluating the central–marginal hypothesis: Introgression and genetic variation at the trailing edge of Quercus bicolor
The central–marginal hypothesis (CMH) predicts reduced genetic diversity and increased differentiation in range-edge populations due to ecological marginality and limited gene flow. Deviations from this pattern, however, can result from historical demographic processes, variation in reproductive strategies or interspecific hybridization. The genus Quercus, known for hybridization and...
Authors
Jesse B. Parker, Sean Hoban, Laura Thompson, Scott E. Schlarbaum
Spatial occupancy patterns of the endangered northern long‐eared bat in New England Spatial occupancy patterns of the endangered northern long‐eared bat in New England
Aim White-nose syndrome has caused severe declines in eastern North American cave bats, leading to the federal listing of the northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis) as endangered in the United States and Canada. This has heightened the importance of long-term monitoring to inform species status assessments. We employed a combination of long-term repeated and single-season...
Authors
Jesse De La Cruz, Sabrina Deeley, Elizabeth Hunter, W. Mark Ford
Assessing the topographic distribution of legacy soil phosphorus in agricultural fields of the Delmarva Peninsula, Mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain, USA Assessing the topographic distribution of legacy soil phosphorus in agricultural fields of the Delmarva Peninsula, Mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain, USA
Phosphorus (P) management remains a challenge in agricultural watersheds. The Choptank River Conservation Effects Assessment Project watershed, located in Maryland and Delaware and draining to the Chesapeake Bay, contains legacy soil P from historical dairy and poultry manure applications. These practices elevated soil P beyond crop needs, contributing to persistent P export to aquatic...
Authors
Maryam Foroughi, Ling Du, Isis Scott, W. Hively, Zachary Simpson, Zacharias Smith, Cathleen Hapeman, Martin Rabenhorst, Raymond Weil, Greg McCarty
Detection of viral, bacterial, and protozoan pathogens and microbial source tracking markers in paired large- and small-volume water samples Detection of viral, bacterial, and protozoan pathogens and microbial source tracking markers in paired large- and small-volume water samples
When sampling for waterborne microbes, researchers may need to diverge from recommended sample volumes due to logistical constraints, novel targets, or challenging matrices, with little guidance about the potential impact on results. In field studies, we measured bacteria, viruses, and protozoa (15 quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays) in paired large- and small-volume samples...
Authors
Joe Heffron, Joel Stokdyk, Aaron Firnstahl, Rachel Cook, Claire Hruby, Mark Borchardt
Hosts, pathogens and hot ponds: Thermal mean and variability contribute to spatial patterns of chytrid infection Hosts, pathogens and hot ponds: Thermal mean and variability contribute to spatial patterns of chytrid infection
Temperature is a primary driver of heterogeneity in host–pathogen dynamics and understanding how patch-scale temperature affects landscape-scale patterns of pathogen infection is key to effective monitoring and management. In field studies, both temperature variability and mean temperature are often related to infection of ectothermic animals by fungal pathogens, and although these...
Authors
Brendan Hobart, Daniel Grear, Megan Winzeler, Travis Mcdevitt-Galles, Timothy Korpita, Erin L. Muths, Valerie McKenzie
How high? Identifying elevation thresholds to guide coastal marsh restoration How high? Identifying elevation thresholds to guide coastal marsh restoration
Introduction Coastal marshes are highly valuable ecosystems facing threats from rising sea levels and intensifying storm events. To elevate marsh surfaces and prevent loss of ecosystem services, the beneficial use of dredged material (BUDM) is increasingly being implemented across the United States. Objectives The objective of this study was to aid decision-makers and restoration...
Authors
Emily Fromenthal, Camille Stagg, Jena Moon, Taylor Abshier, Omar Alawneh, Jack Cadigan, Daniel Gallegos, Brian Harris, Nia Hurst, Navid Jafari, Todd Merendino, Matthew Nelson, Michael Osland, Philip Pauling, Michael Rezsutek, Colt Sanspree, Rachel Villani